Four arrested for alleged carjacking

MANTECA — Though the crime is rare for Manteca, four gang members were arrested on suspicion of attempted carjacking and other charges early Friday in front of Walgreens, police said.

The Record

MANTECA — Though the crime is rare for Manteca, four gang members were arrested on suspicion of attempted carjacking and other charges early Friday in front of Walgreens, police said.

Auto theft is a big problem in Manteca, but the town has on average just one carjacking each year, Manteca police Capt. John Orcutt said.Orcutt said an 18-year-old woman was standing in front of the store in the 500 block of North Main Street shortly after midnight when the four men snatched her keys and tried to start the car.

An officer driving by noticed the panicked woman and made the arrests, Orcutt said, adding that one of them tried to run but was arrested a short distance away.

Rick Padilla, 19, of Manteca; and David Meza and Santiago Hernandez, both 19 and of Stockton, were booked on suspicion of attempted carjacking, robbery and a gang enhancement, Orcutt said.The man accused of running from officers, Daniel Escobedo, 22, of Manteca, was booked on the same charges as well as a parole violation and resisting arrest, Orcutt said.